Laurie Chan

Laurie Chan is a Full Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Ottawa, holding the Canada Research Chair in Toxicology and Environmental Health. His research focuses on understanding the impacts of chemical contaminants in food and the environment, particularly among Indigenous communities, with an emphasis on ecosystem and human health. He develops novel risk assessment tools and employs biochemical models to study chemical effects on wildlife and human biology.

Dr. Chan's work bridges toxicology, environmental health, and public health policy. He collaborates extensively with Indigenous communities to ensure culturally relevant research practices and has contributed to national studies like the First Nations Food, Nutrition, and Environment Study. His research addresses critical issues such as mercury exposure pathways, dietary patterns in Indigenous populations, and environmental justice.

Key achievements include advancing methodologies for spatial ecological risk assessments in regions like the Athabasca oil sands and elucidating the neurotoxic effects of methylmercury on fetal development. His publications span environmental science, toxicology, and public health, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches to addressing global health challenges.